Corporate Culture as a Success Factor for the Energy Transition

The path to a climate-friendly energy future is ambitious – and at the same time urgently necessary. It requires new technologies, clear regulatory frameworks, and above all: people who make change happen. Axpo is actively shaping this transformation—as a driver, energy provider, partner, and employer that invests, grows, and takes responsibility. Since 2019/20, more than 1,200 new jobs have been created in Switzerland. Awards and top rankings in employee surveys confirm our daily commitment.

The energy sector is undergoing a transformation. In spring 2022, energy prices surged, supply chains came under pressure, and geopolitical tensions increased. At the same time, electricity demand rose—driven by electrification, digitalisation, and new forms of mobility. The way energy is supplied is also changing; shifting from centralised, fossil-based technologies to decentralised, renewable solutions.

Axpo is clear about its role: the energy transition is a collective societal effort—and we see it as our responsibility to actively contribute by providing reliable, affordable, and renewable energy.

Growth Alone Isn’t Enough

Axpo is expanding in areas critical to the energy future—from generation and trading to digital solutions. To stay effective in a complex, interconnected, and fast-paced environment, we need agility. It’s the foundation for speed, collaboration, and strong delivery—across technology, structures, and culture. Traditional management approaches have their limits.

The energy transition calls for new ways of thinking—and for organisations with the courage to change, the ability to make fast decisions, and the collective drive to turn plans into action. Axpo is actively shaping this shift.

Culture as a Strategic Lever

A clear example of this is The Power of Us—a cultural and leadership initiative that Axpo launched with conviction. In collaboration with the University of St. Gallen, the concept was refined and supported academically.

Through months of reflection and development, Axpo systematically analysed and realigned leadership behaviours, organisational barriers, and cultural friction points.

Our values form the foundation for a shared understanding of how we work together, lead, and get things done.

The focus wasn’t culture for its own sake, but culture as an enabler of effectiveness in a complex environment.

Impact That Attracts and Empowers

The results speak for themselves. Axpo has once again been recognised as one of the Best Workplaces™ in Switzerland, and—together with the University of St. Gallen—received the EFMD Excellence in Practice Gold Award for The Power of Us.

In the most recent survey, 9 out of 10 employees described Axpo as a great place to work, and 87% said they would recommend the company.

“People today choose companies that offer purpose and room to shape things. Our job at Axpo is to make that possible—for everyone who wants to help shape the energy future.” – Henriette Wendt, COO Axpo Group

People Make the Energy Future Happen

Electricity demand is rising. So is the need for innovation and forward-thinking solutions. Meeting these needs takes resources and capabilities. The energy transition is not only about technologies and systems—it also affects structures, collaboration, and skills. It places high demands on the job market. Without people driving change, nothing moves.

According to economiesuisse, Switzerland is facing a growing shortage of skilled workers – particularly in energy-related fields such as grid expansion, digitalisation, and decarbonisation, which are critical for the energy transition. [1]

Axpo is not only diversifying its energy mix—it’s also investing in the people who make the transformation possible. With purpose, clarity, and a strong culture, Axpo is creating the conditions to attract talent and deliver impact together.

Since 2019/20, over 1,200 new jobs have been created in Switzerland—many of them in engineering, IT, trading, and energy production. These are the fields where technology, market access, and energy security come together. At the same time, Axpo is training more than 450 young people—and making targeted investments in tomorrow’s talent.

Culture Enables the Energy Future

Culture is not a side topic. It’s the infrastructure for transformation. And at Axpo, it’s a central lever for building a sustainable future with innovative energy solutions. For new ideas. For bold decisions. For lasting impact.

You can find more about Axpo as an employer here.

[1] Quelle: economiesuisse (2022), „Fachkräftemangel: Eine wachsende Herausforderung für die Schweiz“